Retirement?...

When I started this blog, I think I kinda "needed" it. I found it very theraputic to put everything I wrote "out there". And then after I had cleansed my soul, I lost interest. I think this might be my last post.

At the beginning of this year, Monika signed up at my gym and we started going together. That was really good for me because it got my ass back to the gym. She doesn't really need it, but I think she joined to help me find some motivation. Since school started back up for her she doesn't really have time to go, but I kept (am still) going. I made some tweaks to my eating and while my weight loss isn't that fast, it is steady. I have averaged about 7 pounds off a month. Clothes I have not worn in a few years are starting to fit again. I have had to buy a new belt. People are noticing. It feels good, and more importantly it feels like I am doing it right. I haven't sacrificed all my time to kill myself at the gym. I haven't drastically changed how I eat. I just made the changes that needed to be made to put me on the right path.

I don't know if I will make more entries here... only time will tell. But my "struggles" definately seem to be in check. Amazing what being in love can do for your motivation.

--Chris

Yes... another post... finally...

I know I have not posted here in a while, but I just have not had anything to say. So there.

As often happens with trying to live a healthy lifestyle, life got in the way. I had some things that started demanding my evenings, and when I was fee in the evening I was playing golf. I have become one of those guys that has a gym membership but doesn't seem to ever go. That is going to change this week.

With my lack of attendance at the gym, my diet has also gone to hell. I am not eating horrible, but not great by any stretch of the imagination. Given those two factors, the scale in my bathroom has remain unused for a little over three weeks. I kept thinking I should hop on it, but just kept putting it off. Imagine my surprise when I got on it and it said I had dropped another four and a half pounds! Yay! And this wasn't even in the morning when I normally weigh in. Wow... very surprising. I felt good to know my work had not been wasted on the last month or so.

So, while there isn't much to report... things are still headed in the right direction.

--C

Not much to report...

I know I have not written here in a while, but honestly there has not been that much to say. I have changed up my exercise routine a bit so that the gym is only one part of what I do... although I am getting the impression it needs to be a little larger part.

Since I am enjoying golf and the temperature isn't tooooo bad yet, I am going to start walking 9 holes after work during the week. That seems like it will be a little over two miles, and the bonus is that my golf game should get better. Win win.

Diet has stayed good. If I really want something, I don't deny myself... but I also keep the portions to normal human levels. But day to day, my diet is good and I don't snack at night. These are big steps.

The scale creeps ever downward, but I want it to be a bit faster. It might be time to kick the diet up a notch so my body doesn't level off.

So.... see? Nothing much to report.

--C

Wardrobe requests...

Just a couple notes about gym attire. If you are going to the gym, please take note:

• Please, for the love of God... If you have a huge belly; wear a shirt long enough to cover it.
• If you are at the gym because you need to loose a few pounds, do NOT wear super-duper-these-used-to-fit-and-will-again white sweatpants with dark cotton underwear. I don't want to see that.
• I don't care how good of shape you are in, spandex are never a good idea unless you are in the Tour de France. Good rule of thumb... If I can tell your religion through the shorts... too tight.
• Halter tops. Use a mirror. Then be honest with yourself.
• If you are going to wear loose shorts, wear underwear. No exceptions.
• When you are changing in the locker room, if I am bent over lacing up my shoes, please keep your "stuff" a minimum of two feet away from my head. Ew.
• Guys. Yes. You have some impressive muscles. We can see that. Your tee shirt should have more material than a g-string. If we can see nipples, we can see too much.

And finally, here is just something to think about. Before you leave the house, look in the mirror. Would you want your Mom/Dad to see you looking like that. Good barometer.

--C

Not a great weekend...

Hey... I am sick and needed comfort food. So there!

A week in review...

This has been a good week. The diet is holding strong. I have pretty much conquered all temptations for food. Just isn't something I even think about now... and that is a big step. (huge)

Tonight I think I over-did my workout a little. I have been home now for almost three hours and I am still at that stage a little beyond exhaustion. Just.. don't.. feel.. like.. even.. moving... I hate this feeling. Maybe 90 minutes of cardio was too much.

I thought I would do a little recap of my exercise routine since last Friday. Not very interesting I know, but I figure this is one of those things *I* might want to remember someday.

Friday: (last Friday)
5 hours of golf.

Saturday:
Pretty heavy yard work. Lots of carrying heavy things around.

Sunday:
Weights... Chest and Back. 50 minutes of cardio.

Monday:
Weights... Shoulders. 30 minutes of cardio.

Tuesday:
30 minutes of Shot put practice over lunch.
Weights... Legs. 30 minutes of cardio. Legs so tired I almost fell down the stairs leaving the gym.

Wednesday:
75 minutes of hitting golf balls at the driving range.

Thursday:
30 minutes of Shot put practice over lunch.
90 minutes of racquetball... (ready heavy cardio)

Chris=Tired=Going to bed.

--C

Why I think guys designed the gym # 3

In my most recent return to the world of the gym, while trying to ignore the pain I was enduring, I began to notice a few things that made me realize: "I am pretty sure all gyms were designed by guys." When I choose to update this series in my blog, I will show examples of why I believe this to be true. Don't shoot the messenger.

I have had more than a few gym memberships and this little observation has been true for all but one of the gyms. First... Here is a picture....

I am not complaining, but is it really necessary for the walls to made of glass given some of the positions people in these classes are required to bend themselves into?

--C

Shaky...

I had something very strange happen to me on Thursday. It is something that has not happened in a long long time.

After work, I had to be home by 5:30 so I decided to just do cardio at the gym. I had enough time for 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. I prefer to go longer on a "just cardio" day, but my schedule would not allow it. In order to make up for lost time, I pushed myself a little harder than normal. When I finished, I stepped off the machine and realized I was really shaky. My blood sugar level was low. Given that my last several Doctor's appointments has had it high even while fasting, this was something I had not felt in a very very long time. While I didn't feel "good", I was happy that my body seemed to have finally figured out how to process all the sugar again.

I am not sure if you can classify low blood sugar as a good thing, but in this case I think it was. Yay pancreas!

--C

Progress Update

Days until next Doc visit: 102
Number of Pounds Lost: 13 (since my last appointment)
Number of Pounds to Go: 17

Getting into a nice routine now... I think I am going to make it!

--C

In incredibly shrinking tummy...

Consciously I *know* this thing happens, but I can't help but find myself mildly surprised when it does. I have gone from being hungry most of the day, to being content with my sensible meals with a few healthy snacks, to not eating snacks anymore... to sitting in my chair two hours after dinner STILL full.

I didn't eat any more than I have been for dinner... Two breasts (of the chicken variety), a tortilla, and some lettuce. Yes... I fashion my own healthy chicken wrap. As stunned as I may be, I think it is time to cut back to one breast (again... from the chicken family) and see what happens.

This is a stage of the process I remember well from last time. Food finally looses its influence on my decisions and just is something that do when it is time.

Of course... that being said. I am sure I will be getting birthday cake tomorrow and I am currently scheduled to go out to dinner two times this week. Sometimes though... life just happens.

--C

Trial by restaurant...

Tonight I met up with an old friend for dinner. We ate at the House of Blues here in Vegas. I was very proud of myself. No beer... Just ordered a sensible entree and stopped eating when it was about half gone. I am not so proud of the fact that I did this.... but more because I did it naturally. I didn't make a conscious choice or anything. Just happened. Weird.

--C